Al-Ḥaẓarātu ʾL-K͟hams in Sufism

Al-Ḥaẓarātu ʾL-K͟hams (الحضرات الخمس‎)

Definition and Explanation

Al-Ḥaẓarātu ʾL-K͟hams (الحضرات الخمس‎), also termed as “the five divine existences”, is a concept in Sufi mysticism that categorizes the various levels of divine manifestations. This notion is detailed in the famous Sufi text, the Kitābu ʾt-Taʿrifāt. According to Sufi beliefs, these five levels describe the various ways the divine reality manifests in the universe and encompasses different realms and existences. The five divine existences are:

1. Ḥaẓratu ʾl-g͟haibi ʾl-mut̤laq (حضرة الغيب المطلق):

   • Definition: The absolute unseen or unknown existence, referring to the pure essence of God.
   • Significance: Represents the absolute transcendence and unknowable nature of God, beyond human comprehension.

2. Ḥaẓratu ʾsh-shahādati ʾl-mut̤laqah (حضرة الشهادة المطلقة):

   • Definition: The existence that is evident to the senses, encompassing both celestial (ajrām) and terrestrial (ajsām) entities.
   • Significance: Symbolizes the manifest world, including everything that can be observed and experienced through the senses.

3. Ḥaẓratu ʿālami ʾl-arwāḥ (حضرة عالم الأرواح):

   • Definition: The realm of spirits and angels, representing a purely spiritual existence.
   • Significance: Denotes the spiritual world, inhabited by angels and other spiritual entities, a non-material dimension of reality.

4. Ḥaẓratu ʿālami ʾl-mis̤āl (حضرة عالم المثال):

   • Definition: The unseen world containing the true likeness of all earthly existences, sometimes referred to as the ‘imaginal world’.
   • Significance: Acts as an intermediary realm where symbolic representations of the physical world reside, often seen in mystical visions.

5. Ḥaẓratu ʾl-jāmīʿah (حضرة الجامعة):

   • Definition: The collective existence of the previously mentioned four divine existences.
   • Significance: Embodies the unified understanding of all the differentiated levels of existence and manifestations of the divine.

Etymology

The term Al-Ḥaẓarātu ʾL-K͟hams comes from the Arabic words “الحضرات” (al-ḥaẓarāt) meaning “the presences” or “the states” and “خمس” (k͟hams) meaning “five”. Thus, the phrase directly translates to “the five presences” or “the five states.”

Arabic and Turkish Translations

• Arabic: الحضرات الخمس‎
• Turkish: Beş İlahi Mevcudiyetler

Further Reading

For those interested in a deeper understanding of this concept and its place within Sufi mysticism, consider exploring the following books:

1. “Sufism: An Introduction to the Mystical Tradition of Islam” by William C. Chittick
2. “The Sufi Path of Knowledge: Ibn al-Arabi’s Metaphysics of Imagination” by William Chittick
3. “The Study Quran: A New Translation and Commentary” by Seyyed Hossein Nasr
4. “Understanding Islamic Theology” by Ali Paya

Conclusion

Al-Ḥaẓarātu ʾL-K͟hams serves to articulate the multifaceted manifestations of divine reality according to Sufi mysticism. By categorizing these existences, Sufis aim to deepen their comprehension of the divine presence in all forms, whether hidden or apparent. This concept not only enriches the spiritual journey of individuals but also offers a structured understanding of the divine reality that permeates the observed and unseen worlds.

Takeaways

• Al-Ḥaẓarātu ʾL-K͟hams captures the complexity and depth of how divine reality is manifested across different realms.
• It helps sustain a broad understanding of material and non-material existences, fostering a nuanced spiritual experience.
• Kitābu ʾt-Taʿrifāt and other Sufi texts are pivotal resources for those delving into this mystical concept.

Understanding Al-Ḥaẓarātu ʾL-K͟hams contributes to a richer comprehension of Sufi metaphysics and the intricate layers of divine existence as experienced and conceptualized in Islamic mysticism.